Calendula's Flower Power: food, medicine + beauty
European folklore associates Calendula with the Sun. It is said to strengthen and comfort the heart, soothe agitation, and draw out evil spirits. Who doesn't need more of that? Not only soothing for our psyches, Calendula has long been relied upon as healthy food, gentle medicine, and healing skin care.
Surviving the change of season
Change of season is a time many people get sick, so it’s a good idea to keep a couple go-to remedies on hand. Calendula and St. Johnswort are helpful for many different complaints, including cold and flu...
Help. I think I'm plastic.
When the news of the day has you questioning your worth. Is skincare important or am I part of the marketing machine that exists only to make women feel insecure so they'll keep buying stuff they don't really need? Does that mean I'm superficial? Plastic?
Back to the garden
Flowers seem to speak directly to the heart, making them easy for us human clods to understand. We just have to pay attention.
Plant party- You're invited!
Gardening isn't always a party, but hanging out with the plants feels like being with friends. I suppose partly because I spend so much of time with them, but also because it's easy to see them as "people".
Cupuaçu curious?
If you love African Shea and Indian Mango butters but want their skin benefits with alot less carbon miles, Cupuaçu is for you. Native to the Amazon, Cupuaçu butter benefits dry or damaged skin by improving elasticity and supporting skin's natural moisture barrier.
Soothing Lettuce face mask recipe
A lettuce face mask restores skin’s natural pH, smooths rough skin, and can help heal pimples. Any lettuce will do, but it’s a bit more thrilling using lettuce you’ve picked from your own garden 🙂
Why you want to wear seaweed
Seaweeds are humectant, drawing moisture from the air to keep skin hydrated. Preventing dryness improves skin's texture and elasticity, softening and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Kitchen Herbalism: Bee Balm
Do you know Bee Balm? Bee Balm (Monarda spp.) is a North American native plant in the Mint family loved by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It's both a medicinal and culinary herb, comparable in use to Oregano or Thyme.
St. Johnswort. What’s in a name?
Did you ever wonder how St. Johnswort, so closely associated with Summer Solstice, witches, and magic, got a Christian saint's name?